The Portland daily press., 1887-01-05
In BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
December 97- 1886.
Fire Losses In Portland for 1886
Whew?

To the Editor Of the Press.
The fire insurance agents of this city have
paid out for losses that occurred in 1856, half
ton of goldl Not only that but about for
ty thousand dollars in excess of the value of
ton of gold! And this amount is more
than the net premiums received by all the
companies represented at the different agen-
cies in Portland. The value of ton of gold
is 500, 900.
Still no heed appears to be given by the
committee on fire department to the unani-
nous request of the Portland Board of Fire
Underwriters sent in to them months ago, to
place more hydiants and fire alarm boxes in
localities where large values are concentrate
ed, and to have all the boxes changed so
that they can be opened instantly, and the
alarm given without key.
This system is now coming into vogue in
the principal cities, and we ought not to de-
lay longer in this matter single day. We
have had examples enough and costly ones
too, that show us that the keys should all be
called in, and the boxes be left free for in
slant action. Now for the proof Of the
need of the above changes. On the
9th of November, 1882 a fire was discovered
at the head of Widgery's wharf, on CONNER
cial street. about a. M. just about the spot
WHClO buClC oiluulQ nave Dttll dHUblleI
alarm box, the nearest one on the east being
on the corner of Market and Commercial
streets, and the nearest one on the south and.
west upon Fore street, at the corner of I'm
ion street. 1t is in evidence that more than
ten minutes elapsed after the discovery of
the fire before the alarm was rung in, and
the delay was caused by those who discov-
cred the fire in not knowing or forgetting
where the alarm box was located.
Had timely notice been given, we might
hntrr s.aN1 Ia - g. z.
dollars, instead of which we met with a loss
OF $12s,000, with strong prospect at one
time of its sweeping everything on the east
erly side of Commercial street to the Port
land bridge. This case is only one of many
that illustrates the need of more fire alarm
boxes. Now for the keyless boxes which we
somuch need. AT the fire at Robbins livery
stable last spring, where many valuable
horses belonging to the boarders were roast
ed to death, and in fact, lwhere many men,
women. and children barely escaped with
their lives, Mr.. John Coyne, who lived in a
frame dwelling adjoining the stable, says he
was awakened by the unusual noise made by
the horses, and saw at a glance that the sta
bic was on fire. He awoke his wife instant
ly, told her to arouse the children and the
for scarcely a shred of clothing ran bare
footed to the nearest fire alarm box to give
the alarm.
He went to the house where the key was
was kept, rang and rang the bell, pounded
on the door again and again, while at the
same time calling at the top of his lungs.
fire fret. But all in vain, all of this was
OF no avail as he could not strike the alarm
or rouse anyone to give him the key. Mr.
Coyne says he kept this up what seemed to
him over ten minutes, until he thought duty
to his family to perhaps save their lives,
called him back home. AT last the blaze was
observed by policeman i'd a distant locality
and an alarm finally rung in. BY the time
the engines could get stream of water ON
the fire, some FIVE or six buildings were all of
light blaze Being in thickly settled To-
calty of frame buildings, had there been
wind that night. we could have barely es-
capped cOntiagration, such Roadway had
this fire obtained before stream was put on,
and still the fire department were as prompt
as usual and worked liked heroes, their ex-
perience showing them at glance the great
danger to the city of a confagration.
If any member of the city government, or
any private citizen, would like to ascertain
for himself whether he thinks we are unduly
alarmed in regard to these matters, let him
ask any member of the fire department from
the chief engineer down, if they did not
think that the department had big contract
on their hands when they arrived at this
Robbins fire? AS is well known, most of
the fires occur in the nighttime and much
valuable time is lost at almost every fire in
obtaining the key and sending in the alarm.
There is only one trouble attending it, the
udllBcl u ildllclOuS ldlSe dIarnlS. mat can
be regulated by suitable fine, and If it be-
comes troublesome, reward can be offered
which would speedily put an end to that
business.
The fire loss for the United States and
Canada during 1886, have been $116,600, 900,
which is largely in excess of previous years.
Equal to about 1876 tons Of solid gold gone up
in smoke and flame. How long can this
enormous waste continue and leave any
companies to insure property?
Since 1860 tonly rs years. 592 companies
have failed or retired from business. Does this
look as If the rates were profitable? Over
eighty millions of capital was either with
drawn or been hopelessly sunk. Is this an
indication of large profits We think not. Men
do not voluntarily withdraw their money
from business that is paying them fair
return on their Investment Neither do men
put up hundreds of thousands of dollars to
form an insurance company that may be
swept out of existence in single night,
simply for the purpose of belonging to
charitable institution, as many seem to think
they do.
Fire insurance, like every other commodity
In the mercantile market, has certain legi-
innate price based on the cost OF the lndem-
nifty and fair return for the transaction of
the business; to so below it can only result
disastrously, since it is merely and manifest
ly conducting business at loss. To come
back to the losses in our own city, 1t needs
no Bishop mind reader to fortell an increase
OF rates of insurance in this locality unless
the city government takes all the precautions
TO which city of this size is fairly entitled
to, and show more liberal spirit to the fire
department in all its branches and keep
up abreast of the times. Let us, as city
do our share towards cutting down this